TWO DAYS AT SEA II7

Morocco. But, on its passage lies the Azores, about
three thousand miles from America. Does the dda
intend to make for this archipelago? is its destination
one of the islands which form the insular possessions of
Portugal? I cannot admit that hypothesis.

Besides, nearer than the Azores, on the line of the thirty-
fifth parallel, at a distance of twelve hundred kilometers
only, the Bermudas are situated. They belong to Eng-
land, and it seems to me. less improbable that if the Count
is in the pay of a European power, that power should be
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Of
course there is always the possibility that this mysterious
individual is acting in his own interests only.

Several times during the day the Count came and stood
inthestern. From thence he closely examined the different
points of the horizon. When a sail or smoke appeared in
the distance, he watched it for a long time through a
powerful sea glass. I may add that he did not even
deign to notice my presence on the deck. From
time to time Captain Spade joined him, and they
exchanged some words in a language I neither under-
stood nor recognized.

It is with Serko, the engineer, who seems to be in his
confidence, that the owner of the 4éda converses most
readily. He is rather loquacious, less repellent, less
reserved, than his companions on board. How does Serké
come to be on the schooner? Is he a special friend ot
Count d’Artigas? Does he travel about with him,
sharing the enviable existence of a rich yachtsman?